M29, 81mm Mortar

High-Angle Infantry Heavy Field Mortar [ 1952 ]

The M29 81mm mortar replaced the M1 mortar in 1952 and was used heavily by American forces in the upcoming Vietnam War.

Authored By: JR Potts, AUS 173d AB | Last Edited: 02/09/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]

In 1952, the American government replaced the standard Army and Marine Corps 81mm service mortar of World War 2/Korean War - the M1 - with a newer design designated as M29. The "straight tube" M29s were chosen for two reasons: greater range than her predecessors while also proving lighter to maximize portability. The M29 weighed in at a manageable 93.5lbs (42.411 kg) when compared to the 136lbs (61.689 kg) of the M1 she replaced. Mortar crews of the Army and Marine Corps were pleased with the improvements in the new system. A lighter design allowed a fire team to get into position quickly while at the same time carry more mortar rounds. The mortar also offered the promised increase in range as well, allowing fire teams to engage the enemy at distance. The M29 would become the standard American mortar in the upcoming Vietnam War.

The 81mm weapons platoon consisted of the headquarters platoon and four mortar squads. In charge was the platoon commander - normally a lieutenant. Second-in-command was an assistant platoon commander, also normally a lieutenant, as well as a platoon sergeant. A weapons sergeant was in charge of the ammunition and he served as the primary communications personnel. The mortar squad was composed of different numbers of personnel depending on the service branch and battlefield situation. In a surprise combat engagement, a mortar tube could conduct fire missions with as few as three operators (though optimally only for a short time) - this group was made up of the gunner, assistant gunner and ammunition bearer. However, standard operating procedures suggested five to seven personnel as normal for most missions.

The squad leader carried the sight box containing the M34A2 sight and four aiming stakes. His position was normally behind the mortar in a crouched position where he could control and support the squad during the fire mission. The sergeant also monitored the emplacement of the tube, sighting for distance, loading and firing of the mortar. The assistant squad leader was also the gunner who manned the left side of the mortar where he could operate the sight, the traversing assembly wheel and the gear handle for elevation. His carried equipment alone weighed some 25 lbs. The gunner would receive commands from the squad leader and enter the appropriate firing data onto the sight and position the tube for correct deflection and elevation against the intended target or target area.©MilitaryFactory.com

If large deflection shifts were required, the gunner and assistant gunner (the latter carrying one ready-to-fire round of HE (High-Explosive) and the tube, weighing 23lbs) picks up the mortar and repositions it. The assistant gunner stands or crouches to the right side of the mortar and is ready to load the weapon as required. In addition to loading, he is also charged with swabbing the bore of the tube after every ten rounds have been fired or at the end of the fire mission to ensure optimal operating conditions for the life of the mortar tube. The fourth squad member is the first ammunition bearer who positions himself on the right rear and passes rounds to the assistant gunner. He carries the outer ring, weighing 21lbs, into action. In a typical five-man squad scenario, the "fifth man" becomes the second ammunition bearer. Being the least senior "ammo humper" (or ammunition bearer), this specialist carries the inner base plate ring weighing 24 lbs. His primary job is to replace the first ammo bearer in case the crew member is wounded or killed in action. He can also provides personal security for the squad depending on the mission and maintains the ammo stock pile along with being the squad's truck driver.

The mortar round is fired downrange by dropping the round into the tube with the base end first (this is what makes the M29 a "muzzle-loading" weapon). The mortar, now being fed by gravity, allows the inserted projectile to fall down to the bottom the tube. At the bottom is a firing pin that impacts against the bottom of the projectile which holds the primer cap. On impact with the firing pin, a small ignition charge is lighted and the expanding gasses propel the mortar round out of the tube towards the target at the predetermined trajectory. It is not uncommon to utilize several rounds to "train" the mortar against a target or area.

The mortar system, as a whole, is made up of three major parts consisting of the tube, the base plate and bipod. The barrel itself is made up of the tube, externally threaded at the rear to take a base plug and has a ball-shaped projection on its lower end to fit into the socket of the base plate. The bipod legs are made up of two tubular steel legs hinged at the sides of the elevating mechanism. The legs have spiked feet and their spread is controlled with an adjustable chain-and-spring to reduce the recoil shock when firing. The left leg has a cross level sliding bracket mounted with a locking sleeve and an adjusting nut is used on uneven ground. This enables the sight, located at the left end of the yoke, to be moved into an upright position.

A number of projectiles were made available to M29 fire teams. The M374 HE (high-explosive) round listed a range of 4,934 yards. The M374A1 HE (high-explosive) could tackle targets out to a range of 5,180 yards. The M375 was a general white phosphorous round having a range of 4,934 yards. The M301A1 Illumination round could burn in the night sky for up to 75 seconds (its fall retarded by way of a small parachute) and was given a range of 2,296 yards. The resulting light was equivalent to 500,000 candle power and would illuminate an area of 1,200 yards.

In 1964, the US Army and Marine Corps replaced the M29 with the M29A1. The M29A1 featured an improved hard chrome-plated bore tube that allowed for an increased rate-of-fire and more resistant to battlefield wear-and-tear as well as making for an easier weapon to clean. The M29E1 was another variant in the M29 mortar family line. The new and lighter M3 base plate was also used with the M29 to further its portability requirements.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Basics [+]

Manufacturer(s)

State Factories - USA / South Korea

Operators

Bangladesh; Iraq; Philippines; South Korea; United States

Service Year

1952

National Origin

United States

FIRE SUPPORT
Capable of suppressing enemy elements at range through direct or in-direct fire.

Overall Length

1,295 mm / 50.98 in

Barrel Length

838 mm / 32.99 in

Weight (Empty)

46.54 lb / 21.11 kg

Action

Smooth Bore; Muzzle-Loading

Caliber(s)*

81mm
*May not represent an exhuastive list; Calibers may be model-specific dependent; Always consult official manufacturer sources.

Feed

1

Sights

M64A1; M53

Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information.

Max.Effective Range

11,447 ft / 3,489.0 m | 3,815.7 yds

Rate-of-Fire

24 rpm

M29 - Base Series Designation.

M29A1 - Hard Chrome-Plated Barrel; improved rate-of-fire, maintenance and reliability.

M29E1

KM-29 - South Korean Army designation.

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Images

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A soldier adjusts his M29 81mm mortar

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Close up view of the muzzle on an M29 81mm mortar system

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Close-up detail view of the control systems of an M29 81mm mortar

4 / 9

Front view of the M29 81mm mortar; note circular base plate and bipod spikes

5 / 9

A soldier fine tunes the trajectory on his M29 81mm mortar

6 / 9

A mortar team tends to their M29 81mm mortar during partice

7 / 9

A soldier protects himself during the violent firing phase of the M29 81mm mortar

8 / 9

An M29 81mm mortar is part of this military review

9 / 9

A soldier prepares to drop an 81mm projectile down the tube of the M29 mortar

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